If you already have the tires, Indianapolis Tire Shop in Indianapolis can dismount, mount, seat the bead, fit a valve stem or TPMS service kit, spin balance each wheel, and torque the lugs. Before you order online, match the size, load index, speed rating and DOT date to your vehicle's requirements.
Read the sidewall of the tire you are about to buy before you click order. Most fitment mistakes with online tires are made at the checkout page, and a shop cannot make the wrong tire fit.
Buying a new set from a shop is a separate visit, described on the tire installation page. This page is for tires you have bought yourself, a spare set of wheels, or a seasonal swap.
What do I check before ordering tires online?
Start with the size code molded into your current tire, then compare it with the placard on the driver's door jamb. Keep the load index and speed rating at or above what the placard calls for, never below.
Then look at the DOT date. It is a short code that tells you the week and year the tire was made, and a listing that will not state it is a reason to ask first. Rubber ages on a shelf, so a recent date matters.
Loose wheels or still on the car?
Either works, and the difference is mostly effort on your side. Wheels already off the car arrive clean and are quick to handle, while a car with wheels still on needs the lugs removed first and refitted afterward.
For a seasonal swap, it helps to bring the whole set, along with any locking lug key your car uses. Without that key, the wheels do not come off at all.
What is included in a mount and balance?
The old tire is taken off the rim, the new one is mounted, and the bead is seated so it holds air. A fresh valve stem or TPMS service kit goes in at the same time, because the stem is cheapest to replace while the tire is already off.
Each wheel is then spin balanced and the lugs are torqued back to spec. If a vibration shows up afterward, the tire balancing page covers Road Force testing and what else can cause it.
Where should online tires be shipped?
Ship them to an address where you can receive and check them, so you can confirm the size and DOT date on arrival. Call Indianapolis Tire Shop before sending anything to the shop, since not every shop takes deliveries, and ask about tires bought elsewhere at the same time.
Can I ship tires straight to the shop?
Call first and ask. Do not assume a shop will accept deliveries for you, and confirm the shop's terms for tires bought elsewhere before you order.
What is a DOT date on a tire?
It is the code on the sidewall showing the week and year the tire was manufactured. Check it when the tires arrive, and ask the seller for it before you buy.
Do I need a new valve stem or TPMS kit with every mount?
A new stem or service kit is a normal part of a mount and balance, because the tire is already off the wheel. Ask which applies to your vehicle.